Murshidabad, 1 July (H.S.): A long-standing family land dispute took a violent turn in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district on Tuesday morning when a man was killed in a bomb attack during a clash at Alinagar village, under Nawda police station area. The deceased has been identified as Rafiqul Sheikh.
According to local sources, Rafiqul Sheikh had been involved in a prolonged conflict over ancestral land with his cousins. On Tuesday morning, yet another argument erupted between the two sides, which soon escalated into a violent confrontation.
In the midst of the altercation, it is alleged that a crude bomb was hurled at Rafiqul, causing fatal injuries. He died on the spot, leaving the village in a state of panic.
Eyewitnesses said Rafiqul’s blood-soaked body was found lying on the road. As news of his death spread, tensions flared in the area. Grieving family members and angry villagers launched a protest, demanding immediate arrests of those responsible.
On information, a team from Nawda police station reached the village. However, the agitated crowd refused to let the police retrieve the body, staging a protest at the site.
Villagers questioned how such a large number of crude bombs had made their way into the area, raising serious concerns about illegal arms stockpiling in rural Bengal.
After hours of negotiation and reinforcement, the police were able to control the situation and send the body for post-mortem.
One suspect has been detained in connection with the incident, and police have launched search operations to track down other absconding accused.
Investigators are also looking into whether this was merely a land dispute or if there is a deeper criminal conspiracy involved.
In view of the prevailing tension, additional police personnel have been deployed in the village to maintain law and order.
The incident has once again raised alarm over the easy availability of explosives in rural areas and the growing trend of violent resolution of land disputes.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey
